Partial Replacement of Fish Meal with Corn Gluten Meal in Diets for Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Abstract.— Feeding experiments were conducted to evaluate corn gluten meal (CGM) as an alternative protein source for fish meal in the diet of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. A diet containing 75% white fish meal as a sole protein source was the control, and 20, 40, and 60% of fish meal protein was replaced with CGM protein in the experimental feeds. Juvenile fish of about 8 g initial body weight were fed each diet to apparent satiation twice a day. 6 d per week for 8 wk at 20 C. Survival rates of fish ranged from 98 to 100% and were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among treatments. Final body weight, weight gain, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the diets containing CGM up to 40% substitution levels were not statistically different from those of fish fed the control diet. All production parameters for fish fed the diet replacing 60% of fish meal protein were significantly lower than the control (P≤ 0.05). Supplements of crystalline amino acids to the CGM diet improved the nutritive value of the diet. Since substitution up to 40% did not adversely affect hematological and hematochemical parameters as well as whole body composition of the cultured fish, it is suggested that up to 40% of fish meal protein can be replaced with CGM in the diet of juvenile Japanese flounder.